Summer Reading Help Available to Students
San Fernando Valley second- and third-graders struggling with reading can apply for free tutoring this summer through a pilot literacy-intervention program that might be expanded to schools throughout the Los Angeles Unified district.
Under the program spearheaded by Los Angeles Board of Education member Julie Korenstein, 20 students from each grade will receive about 60 hours of help in reading and writing at the Panorama Recreation Center, at 8600 Hazeltine Ave. Each group of students will have one teacher and three teacher assistants.
So far, about 15 students are enrolled in the program, which begins July 7 and ends Aug. 17. Besides tutoring, the program allows students to participate in recreation activities.
The program is a joint effort by the district, the recreation center and teachers from nearby Chase Elementary School and students from Cal State Northridge and Los Angeles Valley College.
“There’s been a tendency in the past for different groups to blame each other for [literacy] problems,” Korenstein said. “We just kept going in circles. Now we’re working together.”
If the program is successful, the district hopes that other recreation centers will provide space for tutoring.
Registration for the program is ongoing and will continue until it is full. Interested parents should call Panorama Recreation Center at (818) 893-3401 or Chase Elementary School at (818) 892-4329.
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